Journal-box.



F. HELMICK.

JOURNAL BOX. APPLIUATION FILED APB. 19, 1909.

'Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. HELMIGK.

JOURNAL BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.19, 1909.

Petented Feb.22, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.//vVE/v TOR FREDERICK HELMICK, OF FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA.

JOURNAL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

tatented Feb. 22, 1910.

Application filed April 19, 1909. Serial No. L190,792.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Fnnmnziex Hnmuex, citizen of the United States, residing at Fairmont, county of lilarion, and State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Journal-Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a journal box, and particularly to a lubricating box through which the axle extends for the attachment of the wheel at the outer end of said box.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved arrangement of the lubricating chambers .so that the packings therein may feed the lubricant through the bearing block to the upper surface of the axle and also from vthe lower chamber to the under surface of the axle, this' latter chamber being provided with an inlet opening disposed at one side of the axle for the convenient application and removal of the packing material and lubricant therefor.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing z-#Figure 1 is an elevation showing the application of the invention to a 'truck or car; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the box; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line t-3, Fig. 2; Fig. il is a similar section at a right angle to Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a top plan of the box; Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of a modified form of the invention.

The numeral 10 designates the box which may be of any desired size or configuration and preferably formed as a casting, although it may be otherwise constructed. The box is provided at its upper portion with a longitudinally extending depending bearing seat 11 preferably of suitable configuration to prevent transverse or rotative movement of the bearing block therein. This seat is formed by a depending Wall 12 at one side and a corresponding parallel wall 13 at the opposite side. At the inner end of the seat a depending Wall 14 is provided which forms an abutment for the bearing block 15. The Wall 14 is provided With an aperture 1G through which the axle 17 is adapted to pass. The block l5 may be formed of brass or any other desired Wearing material and has the apertures 18 therethrough to permit a feed of lubricant to the iqipcrportion of the axle 1T. rlhis block is retained within the box by the hub carried by the wheel Q0 which is secured to the outer end ofthe axle by any desired means, for instance, the pin 21, as shown in Fig. 1. If desired, the outer end of the box may be formed with a circular recess 22 into which the end of the hub 19 extends so as to contact with the end of the block 15 and prevent longitudinal movement thereof in the box. The upper portion of the box is provided with apertured securing flanges Q3 by which the box may be secured to the truck or car 211. One means for thus attaching the box comprises the bolts extending downward through said llanges 9.3 on a wearing plate 26. '.lhe front portion of the box may also be provided with a raised lug 27 adapted to engage the front of the car f ame to prevent longitudinal movement of the box and relieve the strain on the securing bolts.

The box is provided at its upper portion with a reservoir 28 at one side thereof and extending longitudinally of the box. This reservoir is provided with an opening QS) at one end by which lubricant may be introduced and is filled with the usual packing, as shown in Fio. it. Extending laterally7 through the box 1s a feed passage 30 which communicatesl with the bearing seat 11 at substantially its midlength and feeds the lubricant to the apertures in the bearing block disposed in said seat. The lower portion of the reservoir 2S is disposed below the passage 30 and also the apertures in the block so as to retain a body of oil therein. The lower portion of the box is formed with a reservoir 31 adapted to contain a packing and lubricant, the former being in contact with the under surface of the axle. The reservoir 231 is extended laterally at one side of the bearing to form a packing chamber 32 which permits the convenient application and removal of the packing from the reservoir and also the introduction of the lubricant thereto. rThe chamber BQ may extend longitudinally for the length of the box and is provided at one end with a filling opening 33 adapted to be closed by the pivoted door or cover 34 which shown in Fig. 2 as disposed at the front of the box and at one side of the bearing therein.

In Fig. 7 a inodilied form of box is shown 1 in which the mounting for the bearing and the disposition of the lubricating reservoir are the saine as previously described, while the inlet opening to the packing chamber 82 is disposed at one side of the bearing instead of at the front thereof, and the door 35 pivotally mounted to close the opening to this chamber. 'In this form of the invention the casing 3G carrying the parts of the box is adapted to be secured by apertures 37 extending therethrough, through which ordinary securing bolts may be applied.

In the operation of the invention it will '..be seen that the bearing block can be conveniently removed and replaced without disturbing the axle by simply removing the wheel from the end thereof, and when secured in position by the wheel all longitudii nal movement of the block is prevented and it is thus held in accurate position without` the necessity of other fastening or securing devices. This mounting also permits the block to be slid directly into its seat and held l' therein against lateral movement. The arrangement of the reservoirs provides means for continuously lubricating the surfaces ofthe axle which rotates within the bearing and maintains a feed of lubricant l L' xthereto. The arrangement of the packing chamber permits convenient access to the packing vbeneath the entire length 'of the bearing. sothat iti'can bereadilyremoved'4 and replaced as desired.` v l l @It will'therefore be seenthat the invention presents` a simple, Vefficient and economically i0 that changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement for the various applications of the bearing, said changes lbeing within the skill of the ordinary mechanic.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is tl. A journal box having a lubricant reservoir at its upper portion and a packingI apertui'ed bearing block disposed atv theA upper portion of said box` and communicating with said reservoir, and a closure for the extension from said chamber.

3. A journal box provided, with depending longitudinally extending `walls to form a bearing seat and a lubricating chamber having a passage extending transversely of the seat to communicate with the central portion thereof and a packing chamber at theY lower-j portion of saidu box having' 'a contin-uoi'isj! extension upward Yfrom the p bottom `.thereof and longitudinally atone sidevof saidbox,4 an open end of said exten-v and a closure for sion.`

In testimony whereof I ali'ix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK HELMICK.

lVitnesses C. B. DUMIRE,

HARRY GASTON.. 

